While odorous house ants do not sting or bite, they can become persistent pests, traveling indoors in large numbers. A smelly ant infestation can be identified by what? The most likely sign of odorous house ants is the foraging worker ants, although winged swarmers also might be observed.

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What are odorous ants attracted to?

Pests such as odorous ants are attracted to moisture. To prevent odorous house ants, eliminate standing water. Keep tree branches and other plants cut back from the house. Sometimes odorous ants use these branches to get into the home.

How do I get rid of odorous house ants?

To remove odorous house ants, baiting is preferred, since they like both sugar and protein-based baits. Insecticide sprays do not work on these ants, as they tend to split up colonies that will simply relocate. If you have an odorous house ant infestation, Arrow can help.

Where do odorous ants live?

Odorous house ants thrive both indoors and outdoors. They can live virtually anywhere, in a variety of conditions. Outside, these ants nest in the shallow soil beneath stones, boards, logs, mulch, debris, etc. They are most likely to invade buildings during rainy weather or in the fall.

Are odorous house ants the same as sugar ants?

Odorous ants have similar characteristics to sugar ants, but they are typically smaller, and their smell is the most identifying difference. Many notice the common house ants smell when crushed. Treehugger states the scent is similar to blue cheese or rotten coconut.

How long do odorous house ants live?

Different Species Have Different LifespansFor comparison, odorous house ant workers, a commonly seen ant inside homes, tend to live about two to three years, while a fire ant worker lives only about five weeks.

Where do odorous house ants typically nest?

Odorous ants are found on beaches, bogs, and swamps, and build shallow nests outdoors by digging underground and piling dirt into mounds. Seeking food and shelter, these pests enter homes through minuscule cracks along foundations, around windows, and near utility lines.